JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
A problem that impacts an estimated one in three adolescents will be in the spotlight at Joint Base San Antonio during February.
JBSA will observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month with activities that include “Wear Orange” day at the three main JBSA locations, an information table at JBSA-Lackland and a program titled “In Their Shoes” at JBSA-Randolph.
“The purpose of Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month is to raise awareness about teen dating violence in our military homes and communities,” said Rosa Padilla, JBSA-Lackland Family Advocacy Program outreach manager. “The topic is pertinent to our military personnel because they may have teenage children in their homes who are susceptible to teen dating violence
The purpose of “Wear Orange” day Feb. 12 is to show awareness of teen dating violence and support efforts to prevent it, said Angela Nance, JBSA-Randolph FAP intervention specialist.
“People can wear something orange – it could be an article of clothing, shoes, jewelry or even nail polish,” she said. “We’d also like people to post photos of themselves wearing orange with the hashtag #loveisrespect on any social media platform.”
Irina Adams, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston FAP intervention specialist, said those who choose to wear orange should also let others know why they are wearing that color.
“Let them know that you’re wearing orange to promote love, respect and healthy relationships, and be sure to post pictures of you and your friends wearing orange,” she said. “Anyone can make this happen by raising awareness about the issue, saying something about abuse when you see it and organizing your community to make a difference.”
Also on Feb. 12, FAP staff members from JBSA-Lackland will answer questions and provide information about teen dating violence and how to prevent it from 3-6 p.m. at the youth center
“In Their Shoes,” scheduled at 4 p.m. Feb. 24 in the main chapel annex at JBSA-Randolph, is a program facilitated by the Texas Advocacy Project, an Austin-based organization whose mission is to prevent domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.
“‘In Their Shoes’ gives teens insight into dating violence and how it can be prevented,” Nance said. “They learn about a true story of a dating violence relationship and talk about it.”
The Jeans for Teens Shelter Drive is planned at JBSA-Randolph throughout the month. Gently used jeans may be placed in orange collection boxes at the youth center, chapel office and medical clinic for distribution to teen shelters in the San Antonio community.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen dating violence “is the physical, sexual, psychological or emotional violence in a dating relationship, including stalking.”
Teen dating violence typically follows a continuum, Nance said.
“Violence can start out mild, with a simple pinch or pull, but then escalate until it gets progressively worse,” she said. “The victim should tell a trusted adult when it first happens.”
Trusted adults – parents, school counselors and teachers – can play a major role in educating teens about dating violence and how it can be prevented, Padilla and Nance said.
“Parents can talk to their teens about healthy relationships,” Padilla said. “In addition, teachers can hold classroom discussions about dating violence and prevention or invite speakers to talk about these issues, and schools can create policies that support healthy relationships and involve student voices.”
When parents are involved in their children’s lives, not only can they advise their children about healthy relationships, they can tell when something’s wrong by observing their children’s behavior or physical appearance, Nance said.
“Our goal is for teens to know what healthy relationships should be like so they don’t become victims of dating violence or domestic violence later in life,” she said.
Nance encouraged adults and teens to learn more about preventing dating violence through healthy relationships by visiting websites such as http://www.loveisrespect.org, http://www.dosomething.org and http://www.cdc.gov.